A More Precise Measurement of Electron Magnetic Moment was Achieved

Physicists from Havard University and Northwestern college have worked out a new measurement of electron magnetic moment. The experiment is considered to be the most accurate measurement of this property of an electron. In addition, the result was a combined effort of both teams consequently resulting in published article in Physical Review Letters.

The magnetic moment of the electron

The magnetic moment of an electron is called the electron magnetic dipole moment. This originates from its electric as well as spin proprieties. For all the elementary properties that have been previously measured, the Magnetic moment is the most accurate. This measurement is the most precise experiment ever performed in science.

Gauging the magnetic moment of an electron to more precise values is extremely important for experimentalists and theoretical physicists. Physicists think that at some time, such measurements will help to finish the standard model of physics. Thus, for this experiment, the research group has tested to a precision two times that of any other previous work. The last best attempt was 14 years back.

Physicists utilize the magnetic moment of electrons to test the standard model of physics. You may consider the role of the standard model similar to that of the periodic table in chemistry. Hence, physicists analyse interactions between them and additionally virtual particles that pop in and out in vacuum chambers. Such research involves establishing the collision of magnetic moment and g-factor. And afterwards, compare them to what is illustrated in the standard model of particle physics.

Quantum Jumps

The research consists of suspending a single electron in a Penning trap with an electromagnetic field at 5 T. Moreover, the chamber was then cooled to virtually absolute zero degrees Kelvin. Measurements were taken of what the group describes as “quantum jumps” of the electrons. Such jumps occur at the transition of energy levels within the atom.

After that, by utilizing an electromagnetic field gradient, they can carry out quantum nondemolition detection. In brief, this last technique is a method to determine quantum jumps without changing the quantum state. Doing so reduces the uncertainty of the measurement of the magnetic moment. The result was a measurement of the magnetic moment somewhat more precise. It is worth mentioning that it is higher than previously accomplished: 0.13 fractions of 1 trillion.

The new measurements are anticipated to impact the research of standard models in the future.

Sources: Physical Review Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.071801 and PHYS.

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